As with all Bellator shows, Bellator 23 airs live on FOX Sports Net, and highlights packages run the following Saturday on NBC, Telemundo and mun2.

Sparks, 36, was set to face the undefeated Lashley at tomorrow’s “Strikeforce: Los Angeles” event. However, Lashley withdrew due to a knee injury. Sparks did not get a replacement opponent.

“We are happy to have an up-and-coming heavyweight like Ron taking part in the local co-main event of our Louisville show,” Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in the announcement. “Ron knocks people out and fans love to see that in the heavyweight division, so Ron should put on a great show for the fans in Louisville.”

Sparks is a Louisville native and has finished all but one of his opponents by first-round KO or TKO.

“Bellator’s a great organization, and this is a great opportunity to fight in front of my hometown crowd,” Sparks said. “I love to keep the fight on my feet, and I love going for the knockout. There ain’t nothin’ better in this world than knocking a guy out.”

The southern heavyweight has often met resistance in finding opponents. Prior to Lashley, he had arranged to fight Bob Sapp, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and former boxing champion Ray Mercer in separate bouts before each withdrew.

Sparks has been involved with kickboxing from his teenage years and has fought in K-1.

Hess also makes his Bellator debut next Thursday in Louisville. He is currently on a two-fight slide and was submitted by UFC veteran Jake O’Brien in his most recent performance.